Hindus flee after rapes

Families of the two Hindu housewives in Jessore, who had been sexually abused, have fled their village after filing a case with the police.

On Jan 7, armed men attacked the Hindus at Hajrail village of Haridaskatthi Union in Manirampur Upazila.

At least, two women were reportedly raped during the attack.

A family member of one of the women said that the miscreants broke their door and asked whether they had voted in the Jan 5 polls.

"None of us went to vote. We fell on their feet and pleaded. They held the machete high and told us to shut up or else they would cut us open," she said.

The village is only 7 kilometres away from the Jessore district headquarters.

Rishipara and Daspara of Hajrail village are predominantly Hindu, mostly poor wage labourers in farms or those who weave baskets from bamboo.

Recalling the incident, a victim's mother-in-law said 9 to 10 armed men broke in to their house around 9pm. They took hostages by holding machetes to their throats and violated the woman, who had got married just two months ago.

She said that her brother-in-law's daughter was also violated that night, which they got to know later.

The family had not filed complaints with the police because the miscreants have threatened to kill them if they did. But, two days after the attacks, they decided to file a case and to abandon their homes.

bdnews24.com's correspondents found the houses deserted on Saturday afternoon. Nothing but a cot was left.

"I have never seen such an incident in my whole life. They think we are Awami League supporters because we are Hindu. They violated our women only because we are Hindu," said Arti Das, who lives in the area.

After checking with the locals, the families could be traced in a different neighbourhood.

Asked when they plan to go back home, a victim's father-in-law shot back:
"Tell me is life more important or home? Can you say they won't come back and attack us again?"

Manirampur Upazila witnessed much violence ahead the polls and on the day of the elections, resulting which polling at 60 stations had to be postponed.

Seven policemen were injured after petrol bombs were hurled at their vehicle a day before the polls.

Polling stations at Mathurapur, Kashimnagar, Vojgati, Deluyabari, Shubholkatthi areas of the Upazila were attacked on Jan 4, a day before the polls.

But regardless of whether they have voted or not, the Hindus in the area are suspect in the eyes of the Opposition which wanted to stop the polls.

And so they are not safe -- not even their women.